With the aid of specific examples, discuss the factors that limit industrial development in Tropical Africa.

Answer Details

Factors limiting industrial development in Tropical Africa

• Shortage of capital: Most Tropical African countries are poor with low savings, so there is little money to build factories, buy machinery and provide infrastructure; they depend on scarce foreign loans and investment.
• Inadequate power supply: Industry needs steady electricity, but many areas (e.g. much of Nigeria and neighbouring states) suffer irregular power and limited energy sources, which discourages factories.
• Poor transport and infrastructure: Bad and insufficient roads, railways, ports and communications make it costly and slow to move raw materials and finished goods, raising production costs.
• Shortage of skilled labour and technical know-how: A high level of illiteracy and few trained engineers, technicians and managers mean industries must import experts, which is expensive.
• Small home market and low purchasing power: Widespread poverty means people cannot buy many manufactured goods, so the market is small and factories cannot produce on a large, cheap scale.
• Competition from imported goods: Cheaper, better-quality manufactured goods from developed countries undersell local products and stifle infant industries.
• Dependence on raw-material export / lack of local raw materials in some areas: Many economies simply export unprocessed raw materials, and some regions lack the varied raw materials needed for manufacturing.
• Political instability and weak policy: Frequent instability, poor planning and inconsistent government policy discourage long-term investment (for example, deterring investors in unstable states).

Any four, well explained with specific examples, are acceptable.